Lead Veterinary Surgeon – Award-Winning Small Animal Practice – Colchester, Essex Clinical Leadership & Ownership – Take the lead in shaping the future of a well-established, award-winning practice with support and autonomy Excellent Facilities – Work in a purpose-built practice with digital X-ray, ultrasound, in-house lab, three consult rooms, and separate cat/dog wards Supportive Team & Career Development – Join a close-knit, experienced team with certificate funding and mentorship to support your professional growth Flexible Work-Life Balance – Enjoy a 4-day working week with 1:6 weekends (or alternative patterns to suit your lifestyle) Generous Benefits Package – Including an excellent salary of up to £75,000 and relocation support available Are you ready to take the next step in your veterinary career? We’re looking for a Lead Veterinary Surgeon to join and help shape the future of a fantastic team at an award-winning, small animal practice in Essex. About the Practice: This well-established practice has a loyal, long-standing client base, and a close-knit, supportive team. You'll be working in a welcoming environment, fully equipped to allow you to deliver the highest standard of care. Facilities include: 3 consult rooms Separate cat and dog wards Fully equipped theatre with two operating tables Dedicated prep room In-house lab Digital X-ray and ultrasound You’ll be supported by a dedicated team of RVNs, a patient care assistant, and a friendly, experienced front-of-house team. The Opportunity: This is a rare and exciting chance to take clinical ownership, influence the direction of the practice, and be part of something truly special. Whether you’re already a Lead Vet or looking for your first step into leadership, you’ll receive mentorship and ongoing support, including certificate funding to pursue your clinical interests. About You: You’ll be RCVS registered, confident in your clinical skills, and have a passion for delivering exceptional care to patients and clients alike. The ideal candidate will have: Strong clinical leadership abilities Experience supporting nurse consults and schedule 3 procedures A team-first mindset and a drive to develop others A good understanding of how great teamwork contributes to clinic performance Location: Based in historic Colchester, you’ll enjoy the best of both worlds: rich Roman heritage, beautiful countryside, and easy links to London. It’s a place where your career and lifestyle can thrive. Interested? For more information or a friendly, informal chat, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I would love to hear from you! The Package: 4-day week with 1:6 weekends (but flexibility is offered if a different pattern suits your lifestyle) A superb salary of £60,000 - £75,000 DOE Private Medical Insurance Health cash plan (covering dental, physio and optical services) with 24/7 Private GP Service Life Assurance 3 x salary Access to 24-hour counselling by phone or in person should you feel you need support 5 weeks’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays, rising to 6 weeks with length of service An additional ‘Day for You’, a paid day’s leave for you to use as you wish Clinical CPD: £1,500 per year plus 3 days’ paid leave Internal CPD and access to Clinical Communities Funded certificate opportunities VDS, RCVS and BVA fees paid Sabbatical based on length of service Cycle to Work scheme Staff discount Support for Certificates of Sponsorship for a Skilled Worker Visa and relocation support For more information or for a confidential chat, please contact Will on or email to To view all our vacancies, please visit And don't forget, if this position is of no interest to you but you know someone who may be interested, please pass on our details. We offer £250* for every successful candidate referral. *Terms and conditions apply. Ref no: JOB-53892